Wednesday, September 26, 2007

The more I look at this print ad from 1969, the more I, well, dig it. The field of read captures the eye, directing you immediately to the proud Brother and Sister. The rough typeface used for the world "Magnificent" conjures images of Africa...the slogan, "Your Hair Will Dig It!" made everything funky and contemporary. I do dig it.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

See? 30 years before Seinfeld had a puffy shirt, a Brother had one, this 1970 ad proves. Another fashion high-point from our friends at Eleganza. The real gamble would have been to wear this thing in my old neighborhood in 1970. (I just noticed: If you buy two, you can save $1.40)

Monday, September 10, 2007

This 1980 album from the Invisible Man's Band contains one of my favorite records of all time: the 12" version of "All Night Thang", a hot bit of funk/soul/disco. It's got everything you needed in a record back then--a chant at the fade; disco whistles; a funky bassline..A great story about these guys: They are actually the grown-up members of the Five Stairsteps, the Chicago vocal group who blew-up in 1970 with "Ooh Child." They were unfairly compared to the a Jacksons because, well, there were 5 of them and they were related (they were the Burke family) and they were black. Anyway, they grew up and led by Keni Burke--a fine vocalist and a doubly fine bass player--they put out this album. Get "All Night Thang" if you can find it. The album cover has been a bit of a mystery to me. Did the guy in background slap her down (she's kinda holding her jaw) or is she just looking up at him? Why is she on a tiled floor? Never mind. Get the record.